History

The Printworks wasn’t always an entertainment complex – it’s a building with great history! Before its redevelopment in the year 2000 it operated as a printing house. Now instead of pulling all-nighters for looming deadlines the scheme is a place to relax and have fun right in the heart of the City.

The Printworks as we now know it was originally erected as Withy Grove Printing House back in 1873. It ran successfully as a newspaper printers for over 100 years producing publications such as the Manchester Evening Chronicle and the Daily Mirror until it was closed in 1985.

Lying dormant for over ten years the 1996 bomb attack in Manchester City Centre spurred on a redevelopment process for the area now known as Exchange Square.

On the 9th November 2000 Alex Ferguson and Lionel Ritchie were the guest celebrities opening the transformed scheme to the public and since then A-listers have continued to pass through the doors. From all the local Corrie stars to Kylie Minogue, David Beckham and Will Smith The Printworks continues to be a hot spot in Manchester!

From 6am until 3am the scheme is alive with activity. Visitors can catch a spinning class before work, pop in for lunch, watch the latest blockbuster or meet friends for a drink after work.

The Printworks include eateries and bars to tickle your taste buds from every corner of the World. Enjoy live Oompah bands at Bierkeller, go East to try Thai and Japanese delights at Busaba and wagamama or stick with the classics like family favourite Frankie and Benny’s or Hard Rock Cafe.

It may surprise you to discover that we house the UK’s largest cinema. It boasts an impressive 23 screens and seats 4,472 people. The IMAX screen is the second largest screen in Europe, and is one of two sites in the UK still to feature 70mm IMAX format, meaning fans travel from all corners of the UK to appreciate the offering. Regional film premieres, live broadcasts of theatre shows, flashback films, celebrity Q&A’s and foreign films are some of our other cinematic accolades.

The Printworks roof garden is also one of the best kept secrets in Manchester. The rooftop garden houses four beehives, an allotment patch, beetle hotel and hydroponics unit. The Printworks, in association with Hard Rock Cafe Manchester, have been pleased to donate over £3,000 from the sales of their honey to local Manchester charities.

Not only does The Printworks have a great offering for food and drink but it also has a stellar event calendar.

Make The Printworks your one-stop shop for entertainment in Manchester!